Greek:
oantistete (2PAAM) stereoitepistei,eidotes
(RAPMPN) taautatonpathematonteen[to]kosmo|humonadelphotetiepiteleisthai. (PPN) Amplified: ﻿Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his
onset—rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing
that the same (﻿﻿identical) sufferings are appointed to your
brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world.﻿ (Amplified
Bible - Lockman)Barclay:
Stand up to him, staunch in the faith, knowing how to pay the same tax
of suffering as your brethren in the world. (Westminster
Press)NLT: Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your
faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the
world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. (NLT
- Tyndale House)Phillips: Resist him, standing firm in your faith and remember
that the strain is the same for all your fellow-Christians in other
parts of the world. (Phillips:
Touchstone)Wuest: Stand immovable against his onset, solid as a rock in
your faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being
accomplished in your brotherhood which is in the world. (Eerdmans) Young's Literal: whom resist, stedfast in the faith, having
known the same sufferings to your brotherhood in the world to be
accomplished.

The timid Christian falls into a
thousand snares (Pr 29:25)﻿﻿. The only way to obtain a victory is, to
fight manfully; and this is the duty of every follower of Christ (Ep
6:10-note,
Ep 6:13-note)﻿﻿.
We must never give way to Satan (Ep 4:27-note)﻿﻿.
We are called to wrestle and contend with him﻿﻿ (Ep 6:12-note);
nor shall our resistance be in vain (Jas 4:7-note.
Satan is not only checked but terrified, and vanquished, by the
resistance of the weakest Christian.)﻿﻿. (1
Peter 5:8, 9 The Means of Defeating Satan's Malice)

Resist(436)
(anthistemifromanti = against +
histemi = to cause to stand) is literally to stand or
set against. To set one's self against. To withstand.

Anthistemi means to arrange in battle against and so pictures a
face to
face confrontation. It means to set one's self against, to stand
firm against someone else's onset, to oppose (place opposite or
against), to resist by actively opposing pressure or power, to
withstand (oppose with firm determination). It involves not only a
psychological attitude but also a corresponding behavior. It was used
to refer to an army arranging in battle against the enemy force and so
to array against.

The aorist imperativeis a command for
the readers to resist now, to resist effectively! It is urgent!

James 4:7 Submit therefore
to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

1 Peter 5:9 (note)
But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same
experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who
are in the world.

Wuest comments that "resist"
(anthistemi) means

means “to withstand, to be firm against
someone else’s onset” rather than “to strive against that one.”
The Christian would do well to remember that he cannot fight the
devil. The latter was originally the most powerful and wise angel
God created. He still retains much of that power and wisdom as a
glance down the pages of history and a look about one today will
easily show. While the Christian cannot take the offensive against
Satan, yet he can stand his ground in the face of his attacks.
Cowardice never wins against Satan, only courage. (Bolding
added) (Wuest,
K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans)

Richison
writes that anthistemi

is a term of defense, not offense. The Christian must build
fortifications against the Devil. The Christian is
at war. We should
establish bulwarks of faith against our enemy. We resist by obeying
the commands of verse eight. We would do well to remember that we
cannot fight the Devil in ourselves. (Richison,
G: Today's Word)

God commands us to forsake the
world, deny the lusts of the flesh and resist the
devil. Satan’s desire is to tempt believers to doubt, to deny, to
disregard, and to disobey God.

Resist means to
defend oneself against the devil not to attack him. On the other hand to
cower before the devil is to invite sure defeat. Clothed with the
garment of a righteous lifestyle and strengthened in the inner man by
the Spirit ensures effective resistance to diabolical attacks and procures his flight.
On the other hand the believer is instructed (commanded) to
flee from various evils...

otice
that every use of flee
in these passages is in the present imperative
and thus is a command to continuously flee. The believer is
never instructed to flee from the Devil but to resist
him!

Constable adds that

"Whereas God
commands us

to forsake the world and deny the lusts of the flesh we
should resist the devil. Satan’s desire is to get the Christian to
doubt, to deny, to disregard, and to disobey what God has said." (Tom
Constable's Expository Notes on the Bible)

Submit
(line up under - do it now! It is urgent! = aorist imperative)
therefore (because God opposes the proud who refuse to submit but gives
grace to the humble who willingly, lovingly yield to Him) to God.
Resist
(anthistemi - aorist imperative)
= take your stand against) the devil and he will flee from you. (Comment:
What a paradox - it is the humble man or woman that Satan will flee
from, not the one who is filled with pride! People who believe that the Devil is red believe a
religious fairy tale. This passage makes it very clear that the
Devil isyellow!
The Devil is not afraid of us but of our faith. By depending on the Lord
the weakest Christian can not only check the Devil but he can vanquish
him. It is amazing that God has given Christians the power to resist the
greatest creature ever made! The Devil is mighty but not invincible.
Some people act as if the Devil is almighty. This is a sad mistake
because it defers to him too much. Furthermore, an attitude of
indecision and doubt when facing the devil makes him bold and aggressive
in his attacks but confronting him with a resolute will and firm
confidence in God's promise (that the enemy must flee) unmasks him as a
coward. The devil cannot lead a man or woman into sin without the
consent of that person's will. As long as the individual's will is
submissive to the control and guidance of the Holy Spirit, that person
can stand victorious against any deception and seduction the devil might
cast his or her way.

Peter uses anthistemi
calling on believers to

Humble (aorist
imperative
- be willing to bow down to Him) yourselves, therefore, under the mighty
hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time 7 casting all your
anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be of sober
spirit (aorist
imperative),
be on the alert (aorist
imperative).
Your adversary (see word study antídikos),
the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
9 But resist
(anthistemi - aorist imperative)
him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering
are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. (See
notes1 Peter 5:6;
5:7;
5:8; 5:9
)

Despite the devil's deceptions,
accusations, power, hatred and ferocity, we can successfully
resist because God commands us to do so and His commands always
include His enablement. Be aware that although the devil is a defeated
foe, he is also a persistent foe (prowls in 1Peter 5:8is = continually on the prowl!).
For example,
Luke records that

when the devil

had finished every
temptation (of Jesus), he departed from Him until an opportune
time. (Lk 4:13).

In his first epistle John has several
passages that reinforce the truth that the believer can resist the devil

I have written to you,

fathers, because you know Him who has
been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you
are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome
(nikao - come off victorious over)
the evil one (the devil and his evil angels). (1Jn 2:14)
(Comment: These young men know sound doctrine and so are strong
against sin and error because they have His Word in them and are enable
to overcome the wiles of the devil, who makes havoc of spiritual
children - Ephesians 4:14 -note)

You are from

God, little children, and have overcome
(be victorious over)
them; because greater is He who is in you (the Spirit of Christ) than he who is in the world.
(the spirit of the devil and his henchmen)
(1Jn 4:4).

Comment:
The context speaks especially of false doctrine, which the Spirit of God
will help the believer discern as error.

We know that no

one who is born of God sins;
but He who was born of God keeps him and the evil one does not
touch him. (1Jn 5:18, cp 1Jn 5:19)

Comment: The word for touch
means to lay hold of or to grasp in order to harm. Because the believer
belongs to God, Satan must operate within God’s sovereignty and cannot
function beyond what God allows, as taught for example in Job 2:5 (cp
Job 1:6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13). God protects His children and places
definite limits on Satan’s influence or power!

A word of caution is in order. A
believer should never "discuss" things with the Devil or his minions.
Eve made this mistake, and paid for it dearly.

Take your stand on the
Word and then you will be able to withstand his attack. Resist
the temptation to try special formulas or words directed at the devil
or his henchmen. Simply purpose to remain steadfast in the faith, continuing to live in accord with the truth of
God’s Word . As the believer feeds on sound doctrine and obeys God’s truth, Satan is "resisted".
Satan is the father of lies and the prince of darkness but God's Truth
exposes the enemy's lies and His Light overpowers darkness.

John records
that

"the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness
did not comprehend it (did not overpower it)." (Jn 1:5)

The devil is far more
intelligent and powerful than we are, so we cannot resist him in the
strength of the flesh (cp 2Co 10:3, 4, 5, Eph 6:11, 12, 13, 14, see
note). Our example in combating Satan is the Lord
Jesus who defeated the devil's temptations by citing appropriate
passages from God's Word. For example when

the
tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that
these stones become bread." Jesus "answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN
SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF
THE MOUTH OF GOD (from Deut 8:3).'" (Mt 4:3-4,
cp Lk 4:4)

The devil in fact is already a defeated foe for Jesus

"partook
of (flesh and blood), that through death He might render powerless
him who had the power of death, that is, the devil" (See
note
Hebrews 2:14).

However, for personal victory "against the schemes of the devil"
in our present circumstances, we must "put on the whole armor of
God" (See notesEphesians 6:11).

THEY WHO OVERCOME IN, SHALL
Eat of the hidden manna -Revelation 2:17
Eat of the tree of life -Revelation 2:7
Be clothed in white raiment -Revelation 3:5
Be pillars in the temple of God Revelation 3:12
Sit with Christ in his throne -Revelation 3:21
Have a white stone, and, in it a new name written -Re 2:17
Have power over the nations -Revelation 2:26
Have the name of God written upon them by Christ -Re 3:12
Have God as their God -Revelation 21:7
Have the morning-star Revelation 2:28
Inherit all things -Revelation 21:7
Be confessed by Christ before God the Father -Re 3:5
Be sons of God -Revelation 21:7
Not be hurt by the second death -Revelation 2:11
Not have their names blotted out of the book of life -Re 3:5

Firm
(4731)
(stereos)
means stable (firmly established), steadfast or
solid like a foundation. In a physical sense this word describes
something as firm, hard, solid and compact like a rock. It is used of
food adults eat (solid) rather than milk, the former referring to
advanced or deeper doctrine.

2 Timothy 2:19 (note)
Nevertheless, the firm (figuratively = solid, rigid, strong)
foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who
are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord abstain
from wickedness."

Hebrews 5:12
(note) For though by
this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to
teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you
have come to need milk and not solid food...5:14
But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have
their senses trained to discern good and evil.

1 Peter 5:9 But resist him,
firm (figuratively = steadfast or immovable in one's beliefs)
in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are
being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.

The idea Peter is conveying is
that they are to be steadfast (firmly fixed in place, not
subject to change) immovable (not moving or not intended to be
moved) in their faith.

Christians are to stand firm and
unyielding, resisting the devil.

Wuest adds that
steadfast ("firm") is

"a military term. Paul
uses it in Colossians 2:3
(see note) when he says
“beholding your order,” that is, “beholding your solid front or close phalanx.” The Greek phalanx was a body of heavy-armed
infantry formed in ranks and files close and deep. Pope has a line,
“The Grecian phalanx, moveless (without movement thus
picturing their stability and immovability against enemy assaults)
as a tower.” The word speaks of solidity in the very mass and body of
the thing itself." (Wuest,
K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans)

J Vernon McGee
adds that

The
picture here is of an army standing against an enemy. We should stand
with other believers. I do not think you can resist the Devil by
yourself. You not only need the armor of God, but you will also need
other believers to stand with you. That is the reasonthat whenever I have need, I let all the listeners to my radio
broadcast know about it. I want them to stand with me in prayer—we
need to do that. (McGee,
J V: Thru the Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson)

Soldiers had to maintain their
ranks and formation or the enemy would attack them from the side or
from behind.

Using a word related to the
adjective stereós, Paul writes to the Colossians that

"even
though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit,
rejoicing to see your good
discipline (standing shoulder to
shoulder in such orderly array) and the stability (the firmness
and the solid front) of your faith in Christ." (See noteColossians 2:5) .

Paul actually uses two military terms in this verse,
the first "good
discipline" (taxis) picturing the Colossian
saints arranged like an army in ranks,
with each soldier in his proper place prepared for attack. "Stability"
(stereoma from stereós) describes a solid front of soldiers.

Their faith in Christ
was like the solid part of a military line which can and does stand
the attack of the enemy, in this case false teachers.

As Eadie
notes their faith

reposed on Christ—as unshaken as its
object. His love never wavers, His power never fails, His fidelity
never resiles (retracts, recoils) from its pledge. And those unseen
blessings which faith
surveys are unchanging in their certainty and glory. The portals of
heaven are never barred—its living stream is never dried up; the
pearls of its gates are unsoiled, nor is the gold of its pavement ever
worn through. Surely, then, faith ought to be as stedfast as the
foundation on which it rests, and the object which it contemplates and
secures.

Paul used
stereós
in his letter to Timothy writing that even though their were some men
who had

"gone
astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken
place, and they upset the
faith of some,
nevertheless the firm (stereós - solid, sure,
unshaken) foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord
knows those who are His," and, "Everyone who names the name of the
Lord is to abstain from wickedness." (See notes2 Timothy 2:18;
2:19)

Faith(4102) (pistis)
in this context describes the Christian's personal confidence in God,
Christ, His Word and His promises.
Christians will be enabled to stand fearlessly firm against the
roaring lion only if they lean wholly (which is what faith does) on
Jesus' name, standing on the promises of God.

The noun "Faith"
is in the locative case, the idea being that the stability to stand
against the adversary is found in the sphere of one's personal faith.

Wuest
adds that

"The words “in the faith”
refer to the believer’s own faith, the definite article here pointing
to ownership. That is, the Christian is to stand firm against the
onset of the devil, not
in himself, but in the exercise of a faith that depends upon the
strengthening and protecting power of God."
(Wuest,
K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans)

Remember that faith is not a
feeling but

is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not
seen" (Heb 11:1-note)

and that believers are called to

walk by faith, not by sight (2Cor 5:7)

The basic nature
of faith is confidence that things yet future and unseen will happen
as God has revealed they will. Peter is saying that if this is our
attitude, we will be enabled to stand firm.

Your faith will be
firm if your trust is in the
Solid Rock. Victory is not assured by the personal tenacity or
intensity with which
we cling to our personal beliefs. Victory is found in adhering to the
finished work of Christ on the Cross, where Christ forever defeated
our adversary the devil.
Prior to His crucifixion Jesus declared

"Now judgment is upon this
world (sentence is now being passed on this world); now the
ruler of this world shall be cast out." (Jn 12:31).

Although the Cross might have appeared to signal
Satan’s victory over God, in reality it marked Satan’s defeat. The
sentence has not yet been carried out on the devil, but his doom has
been sealed. He is still going through the world carrying on his evil
business, but at the end of Messiah's 1000 year reign (See
Millennium) John records
that

the devil who deceived (the unbelievers in the 1000 year
reign) was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the
beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day
and night forever and ever. (Rev 20:10-note)

The purpose of trials is not to
weaken our faith but to strengthen it. Trials are not allowed by God
to make us "bitter" but "better". The outcome depends on
our attitude - receptive versus resentful.

Thomas Watson...

Faith is the grace which does Satan
most harm; it makes the most resistance against him. "Be careful!
Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls
around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour! Resist
him, standing firm in the faith." 1Peter 5:8, 9. No grace more bruises
the serpent's head—than faith. It is both a shield and a sword,
defensive and offensive. It is a shield to guard the head and defend
the vitals. The shield of faith prevents the fiery darts of temptation
from piercing us through. Faith is a sword which wounds the red
dragon.

Charles
Simeon warns that...

Unbelief is a powerful
instrument in the hands of Satan. He excites it in us that he may turn
us from the faith: we must therefore hold fast the doctrines of faith.
We should not suffer ourselves to be moved from the hope of the
Gospel: this is our anchor whereby we must outride the storm﻿﻿ (He
6:19-note).
We must also steadfastly exercise the grace of faith. This is the
weapon whereby we overcome the world﻿﻿ (1Jn 5:4, cp Gal 6:14-note);
and by this shall we triumph over Satan himself (Ep 6:16-note)﻿﻿﻿﻿.

Let not the ungodly despise this
adversary; but let them seek deliverance from him through the Gospel
(Acts 26:18)﻿﻿; and let the godly be continually on their guard
against him (2Co 11:3)﻿﻿, so shall they experience that promised
blessing﻿ (Ro 16:20-note)
(1
Peter 5:8, 9 The Means of Defeating Satan's Malice)

Spurgeon
in his sermon
The
Roaring Lion (click for full text) comments onSteadfast
in the faith﻿ writing that we should

Seek to
obtain a clear knowledge of the doctrines of the gospel, and then get
a good grip of them. Be ready to die, sooner than give up a particle
of God’s revealed truth. This will make you strong. Then take hold of
the promises of God, which are yea and amen in Christ Jesus. Know that
to every doctrine there is serve opposite promise. Have ready for
every attack some strong word commencing with “﻿Is it written?﻿”
Answer Satan with “﻿Thus saith the Lord.﻿” — “﻿Steadfast in the
faith.﻿” Remember, all the water outside of a ship cannot sink it. It
is the water inside that perils its safety. So, if your faith can keep
its hold, and you can still say, “﻿Though he slay me yet will I trust
in him,﻿” (Job 13:!5) Satan may batter your shield; but he has not wounded your
flesh."

In Acts we read that

the
churches were being (passive voice = church acted upon by
outside force, the Spirit of the Living God) strengthened (stereoo - verb form of stereós)
(imperfect
tense = over and over the church was being made firm and
solidified like muscles) in the faith, and were increasing in
number daily. (Acts 16:5)

Comment: This passage
clearly shows the healthy effect of sound biblical evangelism and
discipleship which produces a faith based on "sound doctrine" and
"solid food".

Would Dr. Luke write such a description
about your church, beloved? Or are you simply "increasing in number",
yet not being "strengthened in the faith"?

Just
as David took his stand against Goliath, and trusted in the name of
Jehovah, so we take our
stand against Satan in the victorious name of Jesus Christ.
(Wiersbe, W. The Bible exposition commentary)

David "said to the
Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but
I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies
of Israel, whom you have taunted. (1Sa 17:45)

John MacArthur writes that

The way to resist the devil is not with special formulas, or words
directed at him and his demons, but by remaining firm in the Christian
faith. This means to continue to live in accord with the truth of
God’s Word. As the believer knows sound doctrine and obeys God’s
truth, Satan is withstood. (MacArthur,
J.: The MacArthur Study Bible Nashville: Word Pub)

When we walk with the Lord in the
light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.Refrain

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.Refrain

But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.Refrain

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.Refrain

We take our stand on the Word of
God and refuse to be moved, for unless we stand on the truth we cannot
withstand our enemy who traffics in untruths.

We are to stand in our position,
"hidden with Christ in God,” (Colossians 3:3 - note), that we may
be “strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might” (Ephesians
6:10- note).

We do not have to wage war with the devil to obtain our
position ("in Him [Christ] you have been made complete and He is
the head over all rule and authority" Colossians 2:10 - see note),
nor do we have to fight him either to maintain it or to retain it

for though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh,
for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely
powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying
speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of
God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of
Christ" (2Cor 10:3, 4, 5).

Now we are simply to stand where we have been placed, abiding above ("seated...with
Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus" Ephesians 2:6
- see note),
and "taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to
extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one." (Ephesians
6:16 - note).

At the Cross the Lord Jesus

“disarmed (stripped them, divesting them of their power and authority)
the rulers and authorities (the principalities and powers), He
made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him."
(See noteColossians 2:15).

Believers now
can humbly walk in the triumph of our Victorious Captain. The war has
been won at Calvary. Now, His good soldiers are called to fight the
good fight of faith, fighting individual battles, knowing that that
ultimate outcome has been determined by the Cross, "Paid in Full"! (Jn
19:30, 1Co 15:55, 57, Pr 21:31, Jn 16:33, Ga 6:14, Ro 8:37-note,
1Jn 5:4,5, Re 12:11-noyr)

><> ><> ><>

Our Daily
Bread writes...Twinkle, Tinkle, Tattle...

A man was repeatedly robbed
by burglars who entered his house through a window while he was
asleep. He finally solved his problem by using three things. He
called them a twinkler, a tinkler, and a tattler. The twinkler
was a candle that he kept burning in the window all night. The
tinkler was a bell attached to the window. And the tattler was a
small, noisy dog. Because of these, the burglars were kept away.

Every Christian lives in a
house that Satan seeks to burglarize. We too need a twinkler,
a tinkler, and a tattler. The twinkler is
the candle of God's Word. Its truths provide light that exposes
Satan's lies. Daily attention to the Word keeps the lamp bright.
The tinkler is the bell of our testimony. Keep it ringing
as you tell others of the Savior, and Satan will be frustrated.
The tattler is the life of prayer. When the enemy comes,
send up the warning that you are telling Jesus about it all.
Yes, twinkle your light, tinkle your testimony, and bark the
enemy away by prayer.

A godly woman, when asked
the secret of her victory, replied, "Whenever the devil raps
at my door, I just say, 'Jesus, You go to the door and take care
of him.'"

Peter now adds a strong
incentive to stand firm in their faith. Satan wants believers to believe
their trial is unique and they are alone in their struggle. Don't
believe his lie says Peter.

Knowing
(1492) (eido)
is the verb that describes absolute, positive, beyond a chance of a
doubt type of knowing something. The perfect tensespeaks of
the permanence of their knowing. Thus their knowledge of the truth
which follows ("same experiences of suffering...") is
permanently settled in their soul and can be called into use "in
the nick of time" or as physicians say "PRN" (as needed
for relief"). So be encouraged to endure your trials
because you know beyond a shadow of doubt that your
fellow-Christians are suffering the same things around the world. Suffering is the common lot
for believers - you are not alone (cf
Heb 13:4-5). Others have survived,
therefore so can you (read
Hebrews 11)

Why and how should Peter's
readers have known beyond a
shadow of a doubt? Peter has been writing about suffering for the
preceding four chapters. In chapter 1 Peter said

"In this you
greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you
have been distressed by various trials." (see note1 Peter 1:6)

In chapter 2 he said

"For you have been called
for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an
example for you to follow in His steps." (See note1 Peter 2:21).

In chapter 3 he wrote that

"even if you should suffer for the sake
of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation,
and do not be troubled." (See note1 Peter 3:14).

In chapter 4 he warned the saints not to

"be surprised at the fiery
ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though
some strange thing were happening to you but to the degree that you
share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the
revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation." (See
note 1 Peter 4:12;
4:13)

Paul warned Timothy that

"indeed,
all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted"
(See note2 Timothy 3:12)

Faithful believers must expect
persecution and suffering at the hands of the Christ-rejecting world
and if you know this truth beyond a shadow of a doubt you won't be
surprised when you suffer for the sake of the gospel.

"And after (Paul and
Barnabas) had preached the gospel to that city (Derbe) and
had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to
Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to
continue in the faith, and saying, ”Through many tribulations we must (it is necessary, inevitable and not optional) enter the
kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22)

All believers need to be reminded
to expect hardships and persecution so that they will not be dismayed
and overwhelmed by them. Perseverance in the Christian life is a
ceaseless warfare against the forces of evil.

Paul reminded the Corinthians that

"No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man;
and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what
you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape
also, that you may be able to endure it."
(1Cor 10:13)

Calvin writes that

It is
another consolation, that we have a contest in common with all the
children of God; for Satan dangerously tries us, when he separates us
from the body of Christ." (Commentaries)

Suffering
(3804)
(pathema
describes what happens to a person and must be endured. Pathema is talking about the actual suffering itself (not suffering in
general) - it refers to the very pain that we are experiencing right
now - those very things that we can "see, touch & feel" - those things
that are causing us anguish and emotional trauma.

The sufferings of this life are the
lot of all believers but keep
in mind that for believers suffering takes on a different meaning and
purpose then suffering in general - as believers we suffer for our
faith in Christ (and Christ in us Who the world hates) and we suffer
that we might be conformed to His image. Furthermore, any
suffering and shame we experience in this life for the sake of the
Christ "are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be
revealed to us" (see Romans 8:18
below)

I
(continually judge after calculation) consider (process of
reasoning which results in arriving at a conclusion) that the
sufferings (pathema) of this present time are
not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us."
(See noteRomans 8:18)

Paul reminds the Corinthians that

just
as the sufferings (pathema) of Christ are ours in
abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. (2Co 1:5)

Again Paul writes that

"Now I
rejoice in my sufferings (pathema) for your sake,
and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is the
church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ’s afflictions."
(See noteColossians 1:24)

As a servant of the Lord, he was called upon to
endure untold hardships, persecutions, and afflictions (see similar
use of pathema in 2 Timothy 3:11-
see note). These to Paul were a
privilege. "Filling up that which is lacking" does not refer to
the atoning sufferings of the Jesus on the Cross for they are finished
once and for all and no man could ever share in them. On the other
hand there is a sense in which the Lord Jesus still suffers, for when
believers are persecuted, the Head feels the sufferings of His Body.

In a similar vein, Peter encourages
the saints:

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among
you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange
thing were happening to you, but to the degree that you share the
sufferings (pathema) of Christ, keep on rejoicing;
so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with
exultation." (See notes1 Peter 4:12;
4:13)

Sufferings are the universal mark of
all true Christians. Realizing that other Christians suffer in other
places of the world, encourages us to move on in the faith. This also
unites us in the same experiences. We can handle anything that life
may bring us if we know the principles of the Word. And remember that
we are not to be ignorant of Satan's schemes, one of which is to use
our suffering to discourage us. He shoots fiery missiles like "You're
the only one
suffering like this." And this is a soul withering thought if not
taken captive to Christ, for in the midst of the fire of affliction,
it is easy to grow weary and want to give up under the mistaken
impression that no one else has as much trouble as we do. In this
verse Peter speaks God's truth which deflates Satan's lie.

Accomplished
(2005)
(epiteleofromepí = intensifies
meaning, in the sense of meaning "fully" + teleo= to complete, bring not just to the end but to the destined
goal from télos =
end, goal. Note: télos originally meant the turning
point, hinge, the culminating point at which one stage ends and
another begins; later the goal, the end. Marriage and death are is in
this sense both a telos) conveys the intensified meaning to fully
complete or to fully reach the intended goal in the sense
of successfully completing what has been begun (Gal 3:3, Ro 15:28-note,
Php 1:6-note).

Romans 15:28 (note)
Therefore, when I have finished this, and have put my seal on
this fruit of theirs, I will go on by way of you to Spain.

2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves
from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in
the fear of God.

2 Corinthians 8:6
Consequently we urged Titus that as he had previously made a
beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work
as well.

2 Corinthians 8:11 But
now finish doing it also; that just as there was the readiness
to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your
ability.

Galatians 3:3 Are you
so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected
by the flesh?

Philippians 1:6 (note)
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work
in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 8:5 (note)
who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was
warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for,
"See," He says, "that you make all things according to the pattern
which was shown you on the mountain."

Hebrews 9:6 (note)
Now when these things have been thus prepared, the priests are
continually entering the outer tabernacle, performing the
divine worship,

1 Peter 5:9 (note)
But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences
of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in
the world.

In
1Peter 5:9 epiteleo is in the present tense which
means that the sufferings are continually
being (being = passive voice) completely fulfilled. The meaning is
not that the sufferings would be brought to an end (although every
trial certainly has a beginning and an end), but that these sufferings
would completely fulfill their intended goal and purpose in the
life of each saint. In chapter 1 Peter had explained to the saints
that their sufferings were neither purposeless nor fruitless but had a
divinely intended goal. What goal? When they had come
through the sufferings still trusting the Lord, they would be assured
that their faith was real.
The point is that the sufferings that were divinely appointed/allowed in
the lives of God's children are not purposeless. Instead believers can
look forward to the ultimate outcome. The Christian awaits not the end
of suffering but its goal. A diamond develops into a
diamond under great pressure. A smooth sea never made a skilful
sailor. A believer stagnates in still waters.

Epiteleo
can also mean
to fully finish something begun, to bring it to a
successful finish or to bring it to an end as
illustrated in (Romans
15:28) where Paul makes reference to a project he was eager
to complete, writing

"Therefore, when I have finished (epiteleo
- thoroughly completed) this (delivering the contributions of the Christians in Achaia
and Macedonia) and have put my seal on this fruit (their
financial gift for the Jerusalem church = fruit of their genuine love,
in turn a product of gospel seed-sowing) of theirs, I will go on by
way of you to Spain." (see noteRomans 15:28)

Paul was anxious to fully complete
this project of the collection of money for the Jerusalem poor. As
soon as Paul had completed, executed or accomplished (epiteleo) this
mission, he would visit Rome on his way to Spain.

In a similar use of
epiteleo
Paul encourages the saints at Philippi (and believers everywhere) that
he was

Paul was absolutely certain that God would fully
complete His work of salvation in the Philippians. There is no
possibility of failure or of partial fulfillment. When God begins a
work of salvation in a person, He finishes and perfects
that work, bringing the saint to the intended goal of glorification
and fully conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. Fully
complete also points to the eternal security of the Christian. For
completeness it should be noted that in context "good work"
could refer to their active financial participation in the furtherance
of the gospel, but without a doubt can also be applied to a believer's
salvation, for what God begins, He completes and perfects. Amen!

"Therefore having thesepromises
(OT promises quoted in 2Cor 6:16, 17, 18 = Scripture often
encourages action based on promises), beloved, let us
cleanse (in context implies separation = aorist tense here
calls for a complete break to be made) ourselves (each
believer must do this in his or her own life) from (apó
= indicates the separation of a person or an object from another
person or an object with which it was formerly united) all
(no exceptions) defilement (that which pollutes or
stains, the Greek OT, LXX, uses it of religious defilement or unholy
alliances with idols, etc) of flesh and spirit (a figure for
the whole person), (present
tense = continually = speaks of a
daily process =
sanctification) perfecting (epiteleo
- present tense calling for continual action = make this the habit
of your life, progressively accomplishing)
holiness in the fear of God." (See
notes 2Co 7:1)

The
NLT translates it

"Because we have these
promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that
can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete purity
because we fear God."

In other words, as
saints ("holy ones", set apart ones), believers are in Christ and have
His perfect positional holiness (1Cor 1:30,
NIV) but it is the duty of each saint to daily, continually choose to
cleanse oneself and as we are doing this (controlled by the Holy
Spirit, not legalistic constraints), we will are becoming in effect a
more and more like Jesus (conformed to His image) and less and less
like the world.

MacDonald notes that Paul

"does not suggest that it
is ever possible to become perfectly holy while still here on earth. Practical sanctification
is a process that goes on through our lifetime. We grow in likeness to
the Lord Jesus Christ until the day when we see Him face to face, and
then we shall be like Him (cf 1Jn 3:2-3, cp 1Jn 2:28) throughout all eternity.
It is as we have a reverential fear or awe of God that we have a
desire in our hearts to become holy. May we all learn to say with the
godly McCheyne, “Lord, make me as holy as it is possible for a man to
be on this side of heaven.”" (MacDonald,
W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson)

Paul uses epiteleo with a similar meaning in
Galatians asking

"Are you so foolish (literally without
comprehension)? Having begun (the moment you were justified
by faith) by the Spirit, are you now being (present tense = continually equates with sanctification)
perfected (epiteleo - present tense = continually perfecting) by the flesh (sinful human nature, the seat and vehicle of sinful desires)?" (Gal
3:3)

As noted above, the present tense of epiteleo
is continuous, so the idea is that while a beginning was made at a
definite point (the moment you believed), perfecting (as
used in this versed) is a process and specifically a process
that is synonymous with the process of daily
sanctification.
In other words if the Galatian Christians could not obtain salvation
by works but only by faith, could they expect to grow spiritually or
continually progress in holiness by keeping the law? The idea that
keeping the Mosaic Law will somehow help the Holy Spirit is a fallacy
that sadly persists to our day. If the power of the Spirit was
necessary to save them, could they complete the process by fleshly
efforts? Clearly the answer likewise is "no". Now Christians "keep the
Law" out of love, not legalistic constraint.

Epiteleois used 7 times in the Septuagint
(LXX = Greek of Hebrew OT). In a sad passage Samuel records God's
judgment on the house of Eli stating that

"In that day I will carry
out against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from
beginning to end (LXX translates this with epiteleoas "I will make an end")."
(1Sa 3:12)

The prophet Zechariah records that

"The hands of Zerubbabel have
laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will finish (epiteleo ) it. Then you will know that
the LORD of hosts has sent me to you." (Zech 4:9)

The oracle promises that as
Zerubbabel had laid the foundation of the temple, so he would also
complete it. In other words no obstacle will be able to stop the
completion of the temple.

Brethren(81) (adelphotesfrom adelphós = brother) is more literally "the
brotherhood" which in Greek is a so-called collective
singular, which indicates more strongly than the word "brothers"
the oneness of those subjected to these sufferings. The only other use
of adelphotes is found in 1Pe 2:17-note.

Adelphos is derived
from the copulative prefix (one that joins together words and
expressing addition of their meaning) "a" and delphus “the
womb” which gives the meaning of “one born from the same womb.” Brotherhood is the quality
or state of being brothers, sharing a common bond, and in this context
a common "birth", the new birth, all of one family ("children of God"
Jn 1:12, 1Jn 3:1-note,
1Jn 3:2-note).

BDAG

(1) a group of
fellow-believers, a fellowship...of the Christian community, whose
members are adelphoi and adelphai 1 Pt 5:9; 1 Clemen 2:4...1 Pt
2:17...(2) mutual affection such as brothers or sisters have for one
another, familial affection

Norman Hilyer

Peter’s choice of the
collective term emphasizes the common bond of experience shared by all
Christian believers, even those unknown to the readers. (New
International Biblical Commentary)

The Anchor Yale Bible
Dictionary...

Adelphos and the feminine
form, adelphē, are used first to speak of physical relationships, but
approximately half of the occurrences in the NT use the
figuratively/spiritually, primarily to speak of relationships between
the people of Israel or between Christians.

World
(2889) (kosmos)
could refer to the inhabited world per se or to the world of men who
are alienated and apart from God.

Jesus used this same word kosmos in
the latter sense explaining to His disciples

these things
(Jn 14-16) I have spoken to you, that in Me
(Ed: As we abide in Him) you may have peace. In the world (kosmos)
you have tribulation (thlipsis), but take courage (present tense =
continually be of good cheer. This is possible as we learn to abide in
Him and His Spirit enables us); I have overcome (nikao-
become victorious, prevailed over - perfect tense speaks of
permanence) the world (kosmos). (Jn
16:33, cp Paul's affirmation in Gal 6:14-note)

The fundamental ground for
endurance in persecution is the victory of Jesus over the world.

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